Thanksgiving was a couple of days ago. And so many people in so many places, rightfully and delightfully, talked about the things for which we should give thanks.

We solicited ideas from readers. There were polls and surveys. All of it is cool. Annual events call for annual reflections. The following are just a few of mine, to which, perhaps, some of you can relate.

Sure the holiday, the annual event, has passed. But I would contend that there are more things to be grateful for than can be fairly considered in a fleeting 24 hours.

That brief time compels us to look at the big things. Earlier this week, my friend and colleague, Mike DiMauro, urged us to be thankful for life itself in reflection of the Buriak family of Ledyard, which lost young 16-year-old Matt.

Whether you knew him, his family or not, that's huge, painful. Mike's right, everything after get up is gravy. And for gravy, we should be thankful, every day.

Yet, there are so many specific things for which to be thankful. Some of them are rather simple things. I once heard Bishop Benjamin Watts ask "What does your dash stand for?" He posed the question while delivering a memorial eulogy. The dash on one's gravestone, he explained by way of a rather stirring sermon, is representative of all that transpires between the day of birth and the day of death.

I became a better person that day. And a more thankful one.

My wife likes to hang clothes in the fresh air. Not just to save electricity, but because she likes the freshness of air-dried laundry. I'm grateful for her simple pleasure, thankful for her happiness.

Chuck III called me outside a few weeks ago to observe one of his favorite times of the year: That point at which the leaves on the trees are a distinct combination of green and gold. Go Whalers.

While we're there, I'm thankful for Jeff Larson. He showed the New London football Whalers that no matter where they receive their tactical input, it is tenacious output that makes winners, and perhaps, champions.

I'm thankful for the people who were out last weekend collecting canned goods for the Gemma E. Moran food bank. More people than ever are in need of sustenance assistance. Thursday's meal can't last forever. Help if you can. The need is immense.

Most often, while I am reporting or writing to fill this space, I am also tuned in to a couple of police/fire scanners, and often have to leave the newsroom to report from the scene of a crime, fire or traffic accident.

Understand, please, that's not a complaint. I am grateful. Like so many businesses, families and individuals, doing more with less is a theme. In fact, I think I have one - actually two - of the more exciting positions around here. Besides, I have as teammates an amazingly hard-working group of people. Most of them have their names attached to stories throughout the paper. Many others, who work just as hard, do not.

The intent here is neither to say, "Look at us, meeting the challenge in such tough times." Nor is it to be grovelingly gracious. Heck, we're no different than the rest of the country, and much of the world. I'm grateful for all of you, who work hard every day, too. I'm grateful for the people who don't have much, but make sure each day that they get The Day. Thank you. Just as we report the things that affect your lives, it is your livelihood that makes ours possible.

"We're all in this together," is not a cliche. I think if we truly recognize and respect how dependent we are upon each other, we might all get along a little better.

And for that we would all be thankful.

This is the opinion of Chuck Potter.